BSc Operating Department Practice
Canterbury Christ Church University
About this course
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice is an undergraduate healthcare degree focused on perioperative patient care, anaesthetic practice and surgical procedures. Core topics include Clinical Skills, Research Methods, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, the course prepares graduates for professional registration through integrated clinical placements and practical training in simulation suites. The first year covers foundational concepts through Academic Skills, Human Science, and Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice, alongside initial clinical placements in Clinical Practice 1. The second year advances core competencies via Anaesthetics for Operating Department Practice, Surgery for Operating Department Practice, and Recovery for Operating Department Practice. The final stages progress into complex scenarios and leadership with modules such as Quality Improvement and Leadership in Health and Care, Critical Care for Operating Department Practice, and Transition to Professional Practice, supported by further clinical practice modules.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC IB: 29 Points BTEC: DMM Access to HE: 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits 112 UCAS tariff points. Student recruitment is undertaken by means of a Values Based Recruitment approach, which is aligned with the values and behaviours expected by the NHS Constitution.
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What students say
Based on about 43 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 56%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 8%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 41 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 85%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 52%
- Other Health Professionals: 38%
- Caring personal services: 3%
- Teaching Professionals: 2%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 16%
- South East: 71%
- South West: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 84%
- Access course: 7%
- A degree: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).
- Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Clinical Practice 3
- Academic Skills
- Understanding Systems, Team Working and Core Skills in Healthcare
- Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice
- Human Science
- Clinical Practice 1
- Evidence Based and Sustainable Practice
- Anaesthetics for Operating Department Practice
- Surgery for Operating Department Practice
- Recovery for Operating Department Practice
- Clinical Practice 2
- Quality Improvement and Leadership in Health and Care
- Critical Care for Operating Department Practice
- Transition to Professional Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £36,000. The £30,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Health sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 29 points in the IB. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
Is BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP). Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner.
How many students continue on BSc Operating Department Practice at Canterbury Christ Church University?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 8% left higher education.